Position Marker Holder

ABSTRACT

A position marker holder is disclosed that is configured to be secured to a powered golf cart, push golf cart, pull golf cart and/or golf tee holder.

BACKGROUND

Position marker devices are common for use in marking or otherwise maintaining the position of an object, such as a golf ball being utilized on a fairway or green during a game of golf. Commonly known, and so-called, golf ball markers are typically formed as small, coin-shaped and/or coin-sized structures, usually fabricated from metal, plastic, or wood. When a golfer's ball lies in the field of play, the ball marker is typically carried in the golfer's pocket until is it needed to mark the position of the ball on the putting green or in the fairway. The player then must fetch the marker from the pocket, which may be difficult if the player is additionally carrying coins of currency, tokens, or other items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a position marker holder according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the position marker holder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic elevational view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic elevational view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a position marker holder according to an alternative implementation.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the position marker holder of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevational view of a tee-shaped securing mechanism adapted with a threaded opening to receive the position marker holder of FIG. 1.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying schematic drawings, which form a part hereof. The use of the same symbols in different drawings typically indicates similar or identical items. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are provided merely for illustration and are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides position marker holder devices. While golf ball markers are described for purposes of convenience of understanding, the disclosure is not intended to be limited by the exemplary descriptions provided herein.

FIG. 1 shows a first implementation of a position marker holder 100, which may be used to receive, hold, and retain a marker 102, or other token. The position marker holder 100 may include a first substrate 104 having a retention mechanism 106 for retaining the marker 102. The retention mechanism 106 may be formed of a magnetic material such that it magnetically attracts ferromagnetic or other magnetic materials. The marker 102 may be formed in whole or part of a ferromagnetic material such as steel or iron. Accordingly, the marker 102 may be in whole or part magnetically attracted to the magnetic retention mechanism 106. Alternatively, the retention mechanism 106 may include a ferromagnetic material such as steel or soft iron and the marker 102 may be formed of a magnetic material such that the marker 102 may be in whole or part magnetically attracted to the metallic retention mechanism 106.

The position marker holder 100 may further include a lip 108 for aligning the marker 102 with the retention mechanism 106. The lip 108 may also restrict the movement of the marker 102 as it sets upon the marker holder 100. Thus, according to this example implementation, the marker 102 may be held toward and against the holder 100 by the magnetic attraction of the retention mechanism and may be partially restricted from movement along the surface of the marker by lip 108.

The position marker holder 100 additionally includes a securing mechanism 110 for securing the position marker holder 100 to a receptacle. According to one implementation, the securing mechanism is a bolt or threaded shaft adapted for fitting the umbrella holder or other threaded opening on a conventional golf pull cart, golf push cart, powered golf cart, and so forth. According to this implementation, and using one example, a user may secure the position marker holder 100 to a golf push cart by inserting the securing mechanism 110 of the position marker holder into a threaded opening of the cart and turning the position marker holder 100 until the securing mechanism 110 engages with the threaded opening to secure the position marker holder 100 to the cart. The threaded opening may be integral with the cart or may itself be an attached to the cart, which is secured in a conventional manner. The securing mechanism may be engaged with any other threaded opening such as on an accessory holder, an umbrella handle, or even a putter handle equipped with a threaded opening.

FIG. 2 shows a top elevational view of the position marker holder 100. The marker 102 is shown in dashed line to illustrate an exemplary manner in which the marker 102 may be positioned on the substrate 104. The retention mechanism 106 may directly opposite of the securing mechanism 110 (the securing mechanism 110 shown by the dotted line) or may be offset from the securing mechanism 110, as shown. Placing the retention mechanism 106 closer to the lip may ensure that the pull or retention force between the marker 102 and the retention mechanism 106 is highest at a point close to the lip 108 and lower at a point further from the lip 108. Positioning the retention mechanism 106 in this manner may facilitate a user in grasping or moving the marker at a point further from the lip 108 and the retention mechanism 106. A user may position the marker holder 100 on the golf cart or other device such that a user may slide or maneuver the marker into place by moving the marker toward the lip 108. Similarly, the user could retrieve the marker 102 by sliding the marker away from or along the lip 108.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the marker holder 100 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. The substrate 104 may be formed of plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, composite, or other suitable material and may be formed by any conventional method. For example, the substrate 104 may be formed of a plastic material by a molding process that incorporates the retention mechanism 106, the lip 108, and the securing mechanism 110 or these features may be attached to or incorporated with the substrate 104 after initial formation of the substrate 104. Of course, the substrate 104 may be formed by any other suitable technique including stamping, extrusion, or other formation technique which may include adapting the substrate 104 to accept, incorporate, or otherwise engage with the retention mechanism 106, the lip 108, and/or the securing mechanism 110.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of the marker holder 100 taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2. As discussed above, the retention mechanism 106 may be offset with regard to the securing mechanism 110 and may be positioned adjacent to the lip 108. The retention mechanism 106 could alternatively be located in any other suitable portion of the substrate 104, such as aligned with the securing mechanism 110. The securing mechanism 110 and the substrate 104 are shown to have a cylindrical shape with their axes aligned. However, the securing mechanism 110 and the substrate 104 need not necessarily be cylindrical or aligned. For example, the substrate 104 may be any regular or irregular shape and the securing mechanism 110 may be offset with regard to the regular or irregular shape of the substrate 104. The securing mechanism 108 may be formed of plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, composite, or other suitable material.

The retention mechanism 106 has so far been described as a magnetic material for magnetically attracting and retaining the marker 102. The use of a magnetic material incorporated or secured within or on the substrate 104 allows the marker 102 to be carried in such a way as to be immediately accessible for use and in a manner prominently displayed for all to view. Furthermore, other articles which are subject to magnetic attraction may be likewise releasably secured to the retention mechanism 106 of marker holder 100. For example, an iron or steel golf divot repair tool may also be placed in contact with the retention mechanism and will remain secured to the marker holder 100 until purposefully removed therefrom.

According to an alternative implementation, the retention mechanism 106 and marker 102 may be used that incorporate a snap, hook-and-loop fastener, tack tape, tack paper, light glue, or other force to releasably secure the marker 102 to the retention mechanism 106.

According to the implementation shown, the lip 108 may be shaped as a semicircular raised fin, the fin extending out in an axial direction from the substrate and having a semicircular shape corresponding to the shape of the marker, the shape of the substrate, or both. The lip 108 may extend to a larger or lesser extent shown. The lip 108 may alternatively formed as a semicircular radial depression having a semicircular shape corresponding to the shape of the marker, the shape of the substrate, or both, the depression configured to accept a portion of a marker 102 therein to at least partially restrict movement of the marker 102 along the surface of the substrate 104. According to another alternative, the lip 108 may be provided as a shallow radial depression or radial lip that extends completely along a circular shape and is sized and shaped to accept a marker 102 within the lip or depression, but that is sufficiently shallow to allow the marker 102 to be easily removed from the marker holder 100.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative position marker holder 500, which, like position marker holder 100, is configured to accept and retain a marker 102 and includes a substrate 504, retaining mechanism 506, and lip 508, which are similar or identical to substrate 104, retaining mechanism 106, and lip 108. However, the securing mechanism 508 is configured to be shaped and sized like a conventional golf tee. This shape allows the position marker holder 500 to be mounted in a location that is configured to accept or retain a golf tee, such as a frame, steering wheel, or other portion of a power or push golf cart, a golf bag, a golf accessory holder, an accessory, such as an umbrella, and so forth. The securing mechanism 510 may be formed of plastic, metal, wood, ceramic, composite, or other suitable material.

FIG. 7 shows a side elevational view of a tee shaped securing mechanism 700 adapted with a threaded opening to receive a position marker holder such as that shown in FIG. 1. According to this implementation, the tee shaped securing mechanism 700 may be sized and shaped similar, or identical, to a conventional tee and may have a threaded opening 702 at one end, typically referred on a tee as the “top” of the tee. The threaded opening 702 is configured to receive a securing mechanism, such as securing mechanism 110.

CONCLUSION

Undoubtedly, numerous variations and modifications of the invention will become readily apparent to those familiar with golf accessories and the game of golf. Although implementations of the position marker holder have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the system and method defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims. 

1. A position marker holder comprising: a substrate configured to receive and retain a position marker; and a securing mechanism to secure the position marker holder to a powered golf cart, a push golf cart, or a pull golf cart.
 2. The position marker holder according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is threaded to engage with a threaded opening on the powered golf cart, push golf cart, or pull golf cart.
 3. The position marker holder according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is threaded to engage with a threaded umbrella holder opening on the powered golf cart, push golf cart, or pull golf cart.
 4. The position marker holder according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is threaded to engage with a threaded opening in a golf tee shaped device.
 5. The position marker holder according to claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is golf tee shaped to engage with a golf tee holder in, on, or attached to the powered golf cart, push golf cart, or pull golf cart.
 6. The position marker holder according to claim 1, further comprising a lip that at least partially restricts the movement of the marker on the substrate.
 7. The position marker holder according to claim 6, wherein the lip is shaped as a semicircular raised fin, the fin extending out in an axial direction from the substrate and having a semicircular shape corresponding to the shape of the marker.
 8. The position marker holder according to claim 7, wherein the lip is integral with the substrate.
 9. The position marker holder according to claim 1, wherein the substrate configured to receive and retain the position marker comprises a retention mechanism formed within or on the substrate to releasably hold the marker against the surface of the substrate.
 10. The position marker holder according to claim 9, wherein the retention mechanism is comprised of a magnetic material.
 11. The position marker holder according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises: a retention mechanism formed within or on the substrate to releasably hold the marker against the surface of the substrate; and a lip to at least partially restrict the movement of the marker along the surface on the substrate.
 12. The position marker holder according to claim 10, wherein the lip is adjacent to the retention mechanism.
 13. A golf ball position marker holder comprising: a substrate configured to receive and retain a position marker; and a golf tee shaped securing mechanism to secure the position marker holder to a golf tee holder.
 14. The position marker holder according to claim 13, further comprising a lip that at least partially restricts the movement of the marker on the substrate.
 15. The position marker holder according to claim 14, wherein the lip is shaped as a semicircular raised fin, the fin extending out in an axial direction from the substrate and having a semicircular shape corresponding to the shape of the marker.
 16. The position marker holder according to claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises a retention mechanism formed within or on the substrate to releasably hold the marker against the surface of the substrate.
 17. The position marker holder according to claim 16, wherein the retention mechanism is comprised of a magnetic material.
 18. The position marker holder according to claim 13, further comprising a threaded securing mechanism extending from the substrate and engaging with the golf tee shaped securing mechanism, wherein the golf tee shaped securing mechanism comprises a threaded opening to engage with the threaded securing mechanism.
 19. A golf ball position marker holder comprising: a substrate configured to receive and retain a golf ball position marker including: a retention mechanism formed within or on the substrate to magnetically hold the golf ball position marker against the surface of the substrate, and a lip to at least partially restrict the movement of the golf ball position marker along the surface on the substrate, the lip shaped as a semicircular raised fin corresponding to the shape of the golf ball position marker, the fin extending out in an axial direction from the substrate; and a threaded securing mechanism configured to engage with a threaded opening on a powered golf cart, push golf cart, pull golf cart, or golf tee shaped securing mechanism.
 20. The golf ball position marker holder according to claim 19, wherein the lip is adjacent to the retention mechanism. 